Machine for preparing food compounds



Jan. 20. 1925. 1,523,843

w. A. SMITH MACHINE FOR PREPARING FOOD COMPOUNDS Filed Jan. 1921 4 heats-Sheet 1 k b I N N i? E INVENT Ek g Z5 ac mv 1 7/00 ogs ATTORNEY.

Jan. 20. 1925. 1,523,843

W. A. SMITH MACHINE FOR PREPARING FOOD COMPOUNDS Filed Jan. 28, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. [1 25 ham/,4 J/rw'J/u BYW 3m la ATTORNEY.

W. A. SMITH MACHINE FOR PREPARING FOOD COMPOUNDS Filed .Jan. 2.8, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet s 6a}? A TTORNEY Jan, 20.

W. A. SMITH- MACHINE FOR PREPARING FOOD COMPOUNDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 28, 1921 Patented Jan. 20, 1925 UNITED STATES WILLIAM A. SMITH, OF CLARKSN, NEW YORK.

MAtJHINE FO'R PREPARING FOOD COMPOUNDS.

Application filed January 28, 1921. Serial No. 440,799,

To all UJIO'NL it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. SMITH, of Clarkson, in the countyv of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Preparing Food Compounds; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the reference numerals marked there- This invention has to dowith machines for preparing food compounds and relates more particularly to machines adapted to measure a plurality of ingredients in proper relative proportions and mix and cook the same to prepare a desired compound, one object of the invention being to provide a simple, practical and efficient machine of the above character adapted to produce a compound such, for example, as fruit sauce. Another object is to provide a machine of this type operating automatically and rapidly by a continuous and economical form of process. to produce a sanitary compound of uniformly desirable quality. To these and other ends the invention consists in cer-' tain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same partly broken away.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a portion of the machine on the line 3 -3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevation asseen from the right in Figure '1.

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a central, longitudinal elevation similar to Figure 3 but showing the other half of the machine.

Figures 7 and 8 are sections on the lines 77, and 8-8 respectively, of Figure 6.

Similar reference characters throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The embodiment ofthe invention selected for disclosure herein is intended merely by way of illustration of the principles involved and a preferred practical application of the same, and is, of course, susceptible of various modifications in the construction and mode of operation falling within the spirit of the invention. This embodiment, which is in the nature of an improvement of the apparatus disclosed in my copending application for machines for and methods of preparing food substances, Serial No. 425,- 091 filed November 19, 1920, comprises preferably a plurality of ingredient receptacles and a heating or cooking chamber, provided with means for automaticallyleffecting a continuous flow of the ingredients from the respective receptacles to and through the cooking chamber, at such a predetermined rate of flow for each and in such a manner as to measure the ingredients according to their desired relative proportions and thoroughly mix the same, together with means for cooking the mixture by an accurately controlled process and finally delivering the compound from the machine ready for screening, packaging or other disposition.

Rferring to the drawings, and first to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a supporting framework having spaced pairs of uprights 10, 11 and 12, with the uprights of each pair spaced and connected by cross members 13. The pairs of uprights, 10, 11 and 12 are likewise connected by longitudinal members 14, thus providing .a rigid and substantial frame on which is supported adjacent the right hand end of the machine, Figures 3 and 5, a receptacle, or hopper, 15, for one of the compound ingredients, .as for example, the sugar required in the production of sauce made from fruit, such as apples. The ends of the receptacle 15 are preferablyvertical and the sides 16 are inclined inwardly and downwardly, terminat ing in a trough or channel 17 having a substantially semi-cylindrical bottom formed by a plate 18 of metal or other suitable material. Closely fitting the bottom 18 of the trough is a propelling means, in the present instance in the form of a screw propeller 19, adapted to be rotated by means presently to be described, for withdrawing and discharging suitable quantities of the ingredient from receptacle 15 through an outlet opening 20 in the bottom of the-channel. A cover plate 21 is preferably provided above the propeller over outlet 20 to prevent the I ingredient from falling directly through the for example, as the fruit, or apples, which are preferably cut or sliced into pieces before being placed therein so as to expose a considerable surface of freshly cut pulp. Receptacle 22 is formed with vertical ends and with inwardly and downwardly in-v clined sides 23 terminating in a trough or channel 24 having a substantially semicylindrical bottom formed by a plate 25 of metal or other suitable material, thischan- I nel communicating with-an outlet opening 26 adjacent the ttom of the receptacle and being extended therethrough so as to discharge through an opening ln'the'end of a cylindrical cooking chamber 27 presentl to be described.

outlet openingof receptacle 15, the channel having an opening registering withthe outlet opening 20 of the latter. Rotatably supported in a bearing in the closed outer end 29 of thechannel is a propelling'means.

or'scre'w propeller 30, rotatably supported at its outer end in a bearing'on a cross member 31 within the coo-king chamber 27,-

and rotated by means presently to be,de-

scribed. v

The cooking chamber 27 is f preferably stationarily sup orted. on the frame and of a substantia ly cylindrical, shape with a slight inclination toward the left hand end of the machine to assist the flow of the contents. As already stated, the chamber is arranged; to receive at its ri hthand end the ingredients?discharged mm: channel 24 and is provided with heating meansfor cooking the mixed ingredients. Such heat-I ing means comprises preferably a plurality of small-openings 32 arranged in parallel spaced rows extendin longitudinally of the. .0

central line of its "bOttOmQiJ Communicating iamber adjacent an --'on*i either side of the -'with these openings" are jetpipes carrie by steam 'supply'hnes 33 connected with a;

main supply pipe;.34f,controlled by a -throt- 55 tle valve-35;'by which"1neans there arejpro-' jected'into the mixture ,in thechamber a series of jets of 1 s'team" which; are readily controlled in force and volume by the presi sure regulating valve 35.

Chamber 27 is also rovided with means.

.for propelling the mlxture slowly therevthrough past. the steam jets, comprising preferably a screw propeller 36 arranged adjacent the central line of the bottom of the chamber between the rows of steam jets,

Oiannel 24 has an extended portion at its opposite end projecting exter orly .of g the receptacle 22'and preferably below the "pound and for delivering the same therefrom comprising a shaft 40 concentric with the chamber and rotating in abearing 41 in the right hand end thereof and in .bearings 42 on the cross members 13, the shaft f'boing extended toward the right hand end of the machine where it is driven by suitable means presently to be described. Clamped on siaft 40, adjacent the end of propeller 36'are spaced pairs of arms 44 between the outerends ofwhi'ch are bolted plates or boards 46 partiall' cut away and serving -to' work or beat t e cooked compound. Boards 46 are extended toward the left adjacent the end of chamber 27 where they are provided with buckets or scoops 47 arranged to scoop up the compound and elevate and discharge the same into a trough 48 connnunicating with an opening 48 in the end of the chamber and with a delivering trough fixed exteriorly on the latter. By this means the cooked compound is discharged from the machine for delivcry to a screening apparatus or such other ing 1parts of the machine-comprises prefe'rab yt1 ht and loose pulleys 52 carried at its rig t hand end on a short shaft 53 rotating in bearings 54 on crnss members 13. The shaft has fixed thereon a sprocket 55 with which engages a chain 56 on aging atit's other end a] sprocket '57 fixe on a short shaft 58 rotating in bearings on cross 'jm'embers 13. Fixed on shaft 581s a pinion 59 meshing with a gear 60 fixed on ashort shaftolrotating inbearings on the cross jmembers and having fixed thereon a sprocket 62 driving a chain 63 enga ing' a s rocket 64 upon the end of the shafl portion of the propeller 19 of receptacle 15 to rotate the same.

,The propeller 30"of receptacle 22. is rotated by means comprising a sprocket 65 fixed onshaft 53 and driving a chain 66 engaging a sprocket 67 on the end of the shaft of the propeller. By these means propellers 19 and 30 are driven by independ ent connections with the power shaft 53 and it is apparent that after the selection of propellers of generally suitable dimensions in the first instance, they may be driven at practically any desired relative speeds for feeding ingredients in any desired relative proportions by the selection of gears or sprockets such as described of 1 means for the propellers 19 and 30, as the former are driven at a'comp-aratively slow speed. This result. might of course be obtamed by .a gearing connection with the pulleys -52 but it is preferred at present to provide bearings 68 on the standards 10. in which rotates a shaft 69 carrying inde pendent tight and loose pulleys 7 O for driving the same. Fixed on shaft 69 is a worm 71 driving a Worm gear 72 fixed on a shaft 73 rotating in bearings on two of the cross members 13. Shaft 73 has fixed thereon a gear 74 meshing with a. gear 75 fixed on the end of shaft of the bearing and delivery means of the cooking chamber. Fixed on shaft 73 also is a sprocket 76 driving a chain 77 meshing with a sprocket 78 fixed on the end of shaft 39 of the propeller 36 of the cooking chamber.

The operation of the machine is indicated by the above description of its construction.

and it is. apparent that when pulleys 52 and 70 are belted to a source of power the propellers 19 and 30 are rotated at suitable speeds for discharging the contents of the respective receptacles 15 and 22 in suitable relative proportions, whereby the latter are automatically measured to produce the desired constituency and flavor in the product.

The ingredient of -receptacle 15, such for example as sugar, is thus supplied to propeller 30 of receptacle 22 and moved by this propeller through the bottom of the 'receptac 1e where the fruit ingredient is picked upfby -the propeller and advanred to the discharge outlet. During this movement of the fruit ingredient the pieces or particles of the latter are thoroughly rolled .around in the sugar, so that the particles of pulp are intimately mixed and thoroughly coated with the sugar to facilitate rapid and thorough cooking action in chamber 27. The latter thus receives the ingredients in a thoroughly mixed condition and propeller 36 advances the mixture along the inclined bottom of the cooking chamber and over the jets of steam rising through the bottom of the latter. The steam jets heat the mixture and direct it toward the propeller by which it is gently worked and, moved along the chamber and into the path of adjacent steam jets, so that the compound is subjected in all its parts to a uniform penetration of heat and thus thoroughly cooked.

The de ree of heat/may be accurately controlled by adjustment of thesteam'valves 35 and it has been found that the appropriate quantity of steam for cooking various kinds of fruits also supplies the desiredv proportion of Water to the compound, but of course application referred to above and a more detailed description thereof herein appears unnecessary, further than to point out that the fruit particles-are not bro (en up during the cooking operation,.thus preventing as far as possible the formation of a thick, heat resisting fluid, but on the contrary, the whole mixture is thoroughly and uniformly heated and cooked. The com ound, after being. thoroughly cooked, is dlscharged by I propeller 36to the Working or beating ele ments or plates 46 and thus advanced past the latter y the action of-the propellerand inclination of the chamber into thepath of scoops 47 'which deliver it to the troughs 48 and 49 for subsequent disposal. The sugar receptacle is, as stated, preferably located at the end of the machine remote from the heating chamber so that the sugar is not unfavorably affected by the steam. The construction of the machine is generally such as to eliminate the dan er of expansion or swelling and the binding or sticking of the moving parts under the influence of the heat and moisture.

-Themachine is simple, practical and'efficient in character and manipulates the material in an'automatic and rapid manner by a continuous form of process which is not only economical but susceptible of accurate control to produce a product of uniform quality andclean and sanitary condition. One operator can supervise the operation of a number of such machines, whereas the quantity of output of. any of these machines requires the labor of a number of workers when the operations are performed .by hand, and such hand labor is not only control of the operations afford a product of uniformly pleasing characteristics.

I claim as my lnventlon:

1. A machine for preparing food compounds comprising a plurality of receptacles for the ingredients, p opelling means for discharging an ingredient from one of said receptacles to another at a predetermined rateto thereby measure and mix the same, a chamber arranged to receive the mixed ingredients from the 'final receptacle, means for advancing the mixture through said chamber, and heating means for cooking the mixture during its passage through the latter.- I

2. A machine for preparing food compounds comprising a plurality of communicating receptacles for the ingredients, propelling means adjacent the bottom of said receptacles operating to discharge an ingredient from one to another thereof at a predetermined rate to thereby measure and mix the same, a chamber arranged to receive propelling means at predetermined speeds to thereby measure and mix the ingredients, a chamber. arranged to receive the mixture from the final receptacle, means for advancing the mixture through said chamber, and heating means for cooking the mixture during its passage through the latter.

4. machine for preparing food compounds comprising a plurality of receptacles each having a vdischarge outlet, propelling means in one of said receptacles for discharging the contents thereof through said outlet. propelling" means in said other receptacl e for discharging the contents thereof through said outlet and having a portion thereof extended to receive the discharge from said first receptacle, a chamber 'arranged to receive ingredients discharged from said other receptacle, propelling means for advancing the ingredients through said chamber, heating means in the latter for cooking the ingredients and actuating means for driving all of said propelling'means to measure. mix and advance the ingredients through the machine.

5. Aanachine -for preparing food compounds comprising a plurality of receptacles each having a discharge outlet, propelling means in one of said receptacles for discharging the contents thereof through said outlet, propelling means in another of said receptacles for discharging the contents thereof through said outlet and having a ortion extended to receive the discharge rom said first receptacle, achamber arranged to receive the discharge from said other receptacle and provided with means to heat and cook the ingredients, and actuating means for driving the propelling means of said receptacles at different speeds to measure and mix the ingredients.

6. A machine for preparing food compounds comprising a plurality of receptacles each having a discharge outlet, a screw propeller in each of said receptacles for discharging the contents thereof through said outlets, one of said receptacles being ar ranged to discharge its contents to the propeller of the other receptacle, a chamber provided with heating means arranged to re ceive the discharge from said other receptacle. and'actuating means for rotating said ropellers and thereby measuring, mixing and advancing the ingredients through the machine.

7. A machine for preparlng food com pounds comprising a plurality of receptacles each having a discharge outlet and a screw propeller therein for discharging the contents thereof through said outlet, the propeller of one of said receptacles being extended opposite its discharge end exteriorly of the receptacle to receive thedischarged contents of the other receptacle, a chamber provided with means for receivin at one end the ingredients discharged rom the final receptacl and' discharging the same at its opposite end and With means for heating the same during movement through the chamber, and actuating means for rotating said propellers at predetermined relative speeds to measure and mix the ingredients and advance the same through the machine.

W LLIAM A. "SMITH. 

